Report: Apple Festival generated $12.5 million

Special to the Times-News

Published: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 28, 2013 at 12:13 p.m.

This year's N.C. Apple Festival brought $12.5 million dollars to Henderson County, according to a festival research study conducted by Looking Glass Strategic Research of Asheville. Of that total amount, more than $2 million was direct spending by Henderson County residents.

The detailed study examined spending across six categories: lodging, dining, retail, transportation, entertainment, and other. It was also determined that less than 40 percent of the total spending occurred on the festival grounds. The remainder was spent at a variety of businesses throughout the county. The festival also contributed 4,591 lodging room nights to the Henderson County economy.

“We were very pleased with the overall results of the survey,” festival Executive Director David Nicholson stated in a release.

Organizers estimated attendance at 250,000 over the four-day festival. Almost 74 percent were non-residents, 47 percent of whom attended the festival for the first time. More than 37,000 attendees were from Henderson County and attended over two days.

More than 75 percent of non-resident attendees said they are more likely to visit Henderson County at another time due to the festival.

Overall satisfaction with the festival on a scale of 1-5 was as follows:

Apple offerings 4.65

Entertainment 4.07

Food/beverage 4.39

Arts and crafts 4.34

Children activities 4.33

Overall 4.53

Of resident attendees, the following strongly agreed or agreed with the following:

The festival has an economic benefit to the community 98.2%

It's an opportunity for time with family/friends 89.3%

It creates positive recognition for community 99.2%

The festival improves quality of life 87.5%

The festival disrupts normal routine 25.0%

In terms of out-of-county attendees, 27.8 percent were from Western North Carolina, 28.8 percent were from Upstate South Carolina and nearly 14 percent were from the Charlotte area.

Looking forward to next year's festival, more than 85 percent of residents said they plan to attend, along with 70 percent of non-resident attendees.

<p>This year's N.C. Apple Festival brought $12.5 million dollars to Henderson County, according to a festival research study conducted by Looking Glass Strategic Research of Asheville. Of that total amount, more than $2 million was direct spending by Henderson County residents. </p><p>The detailed study examined spending across six categories: lodging, dining, retail, transportation, entertainment, and other. It was also determined that less than 40 percent of the total spending occurred on the festival grounds. The remainder was spent at a variety of businesses throughout the county. The festival also contributed 4,591 lodging room nights to the Henderson County economy.</p><p>“We were very pleased with the overall results of the survey,” festival Executive Director David Nicholson stated in a release. </p><p>Organizers estimated attendance at 250,000 over the four-day festival. Almost 74 percent were non-residents, 47 percent of whom attended the festival for the first time. More than 37,000 attendees were from Henderson County and attended over two days. </p><p>More than 75 percent of non-resident attendees said they are more likely to visit Henderson County at another time due to the festival.</p><p>Overall satisfaction with the festival on a scale of 1-5 was as follows:</p><p>Apple offerings 4.65</p><p>Entertainment 4.07</p><p>Food/beverage 4.39</p><p>Arts and crafts 4.34</p><p>Children activities 4.33</p><p>Overall 4.53</p><p>Of resident attendees, the following strongly agreed or agreed with the following:</p><p>The festival has an economic benefit to the community 98.2%</p><p>It's an opportunity for time with family/friends 89.3%</p><p>It creates positive recognition for community 99.2%</p><p>The festival improves quality of life 87.5%</p><p>The festival disrupts normal routine 25.0%</p><p>In terms of out-of-county attendees, 27.8 percent were from Western North Carolina, 28.8 percent were from Upstate South Carolina and nearly 14 percent were from the Charlotte area.</p><p>Looking forward to next year's festival, more than 85 percent of residents said they plan to attend, along with 70 percent of non-resident attendees.</p>